This World Mental Health Day, we’re reminded that good mental health begins with feeling included, supported, and part of a community. Taking place every year on 10th October, it provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of good mental health and the need to prioritise and invest in ensuring there is support and best practice in place in the workplace, as well as in our general lives.
World Mental Health Day was set up initially in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) with the aim of raising awareness of mental health issues, promoting positive action and reducing stigma.
Poor mental health is not always visible, nor foreseeable but it can be avoided. At AgeCare we are proud of how our teams create a supportive and welcoming environment in our homes, where inclusion is uppermost in all we do, helping our residents and staff to feel listened to, valued and part of our community.
Here is a snapshot from some of our homes and how inclusion is very much a part of daily life.
Bullsmoor Lodge, London
At our Bullsmoor Lodge care home in London, we believe now is always the time to celebrate diversity, embrace inclusion, and open our doors for everyone.
We are proud to celebrate the rich cultures of our staff, marking events like Eid and Diwali with decorations, traditional dress, and shared festivities.
Staff member Babtunde comments: “It made me feel seen and happy. As someone who does not have family nearby, it was nice to celebrate something so close to me with my family here at Bullsmoor.”
We welcome students from SEND colleges for work experience and volunteering, creating pathways to employment for people with disabilities and hidden disabilities. We regularly review and adapt communication aids for residents with blindness or deafness so everyone can join in activities. We have adapted our home and working patterns to ensure opportunities are accessible to all.
Millway House, Andover
Inclusion at Millway is not only about care, health, or medical decisions, but also about wellbeing, joy, and belonging.
We celebrate different cultures and religions, and our menus respect religious, cultural and dietary needs while reflecting each residents nutritional and medical requirements. We have communication aids for all different cultures, ages, abilities, and backgrounds and our staff are trained in inclusive communication including supporting residents with dementia, hearing loss and language barriers.
Residents are involved in decisions about their care and daily activities from assessment and throughout their stay as part of our Residents Committee, where they can be sure their voices are heard.
Activities are designed not just for fun, but to ensure that every resident, regardless of ability, feels involved, respected, and can take part.
We are proud of our inclusive recruitment policy, which is fair and encourages diverse working. We support staff with flexible working where possible, honouring religious observances and family responsibilities.
Mrs B’s Story
Mrs B is a quiet lady who uses an adapted wheelchair and is non-verbal, communicating instead through facial expressions, gestures, and eye contact. While she is softly spoken in daily life, her face lights up when music fills the room. Whether it’s a live entertainer or a favourite song, Mrs B expresses herself beautifully through movement, rhythm, and her beaming expressions, showing us all the powerful ways inclusion can be felt without words.
Five Oaks, London
Sophia, one of Five Oaks’ youngest residents at 56, loves staying active and engaged. In order to help her feel included and have a sense of belonging, our team find meaningful tasks such as decorating or visiting our other homes to help with activities which make her feel valued and included.
For our Turkish-speaking residents we have devised a system where we pair them with key workers who speak their language. During assessments, we bring along a staff member who speaks their native language, reducing anxiety and building trust from day one.
There are many practical steps that our staff take every day across all our homes to create an inclusive environment for team members and residents
Whether its ensuring residents feel safe, understood, and truly at home or empowering every individual to contribute in their own way, we believe inclusion should be embedded in everything we do.
#WorldMentalHealthDay
